Ico
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Smash Bros and Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai warns "an industry that loses its originality will simply die a slow death" as he retires his Game Designers Award after 16 years
Masahiro Sakurai, creator of Kirby and Super Smash Bros., announced the discontinuation of his Game Designers Award due to his inability to find a successor. He emphasized the critical importance of originality in the gaming industry, warning that a lack of it will lead to a slow death, especially as AAA budgets increase and lead to safer, less innovative titles.
Ico: A Helping Hand that Goes Both Ways
This article discusses the controversial escort mission trope in video games, using Ico as a prime example of how such mechanics can be implemented effectively. The author expresses initial apprehension towards the concept of a game centered around escorting a character but finds Ico's execution to be a positive exception.
Shadow of the Colossus and Ico director says "unforgiving or clunky" elements that developers didn't plan for "are what actually end up being memorable"
Fumito Ueda, director of Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, believes that unintended or 'clunky' elements in game design can lead to more memorable player experiences. He reflects on how difficult sections in his past games, like Shadow of the Colossus, stick with players, though he admits he might approach such elements differently with modern development tools. His upcoming game, Gen Atlas, is being developed in collaboration with Epic Games.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Fumito Ueda is Rethinking The Companion Relationship That Defined His Career
Fumito Ueda discusses his upcoming game, Gen Atlas, and how it rethinks the companion relationship that defined his previous works like Ico and The Last Guardian. While the game features guns and a sci-fi setting, Ueda emphasizes that it is not a pure shooter and that the companion's role and communication will differ from his past titles. Gen Atlas is being developed using Unreal Engine for a multiplatform release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Fumito Ueda says Bluepoint Games closure is sad and disappointing
Fumito Ueda, creator of Shadow of the Colossus, expressed disappointment and sadness over the closure of Bluepoint Games, a studio he collaborated with on the PlayStation 4 remake. Ueda learned of the closure through public reports and had hoped to work with Bluepoint again, potentially on a remake of Ico.
Gen Atlas Creator Fumito Ueda on Creating Emotional Masterpieces: ‘I Do Think About Leaving a Mark in People’s Hearts’
Fumito Ueda, the creator behind Shadow of the Colossus and Ico, discusses his approach to crafting emotionally resonant games, including his upcoming sci-fi mech title Gen Atlas. He aims to create experiences that leave a lasting impression on players' hearts.
Ico and Shadow of the Colossus creator Fumito Ueda would like to see his old games on PC someday, too
Fumito Ueda, the acclaimed director behind Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, expressed his desire to see his older games ported to PC. While his upcoming project Gen Atlas will be his first directed game released on PC through a partnership with Epic Games, Ueda hopes for opportunities to bring his PlayStation titles to a wider audience. He acknowledged that Sony holds the rights to these games, making their PC release uncertain.
'It's So Sad They're No Longer Around': Fumito Ueda Would Have Liked to Remake ICO with Shuttered Sony Studio Bluepoint
Fumito Ueda expressed disappointment over the closure of Sony's Bluepoint Games studio, stating he had hoped to collaborate with them, potentially on a remake of ICO. Bluepoint, known for its work on Demon's Souls and Shadow of the Colossus, was shut down earlier this year. Ueda's new title, gen ATLAS, is set to release on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5.
"It's not just one definition or meaning" - legendary designer Fumito Ueda says Gen Atlas, the title of his new game, means more than you might think
Legendary designer Fumito Ueda explained the multifaceted meaning behind the title of his new game, Gen Atlas. The title combines 'Gen,' referencing genesis, gene, and generate, with 'Atlas,' alluding to both the world map and the first cervical vertebra connecting the head to the neck. The game, developed by genDesign and published by Epic Games, is an open-world action-adventure coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X, and shares similarities with Ueda's previous work, particularly Shadow of the Colossus.
gen ATLAS Name Has Many Layered Meanings, Says Fumito Ueda
Fumito Ueda, creator of Shadow of the Colossus and The Last Guardian, discussed the layered meanings behind the title of his new game, gen ATLAS. He explained that 'gen' can refer to genesis, genes, or generation, while 'ATLAS' can mean a world map or the first cervical vertebra, a concept reflected in the robot head design. Ueda also noted that gen ATLAS will share more tonal similarities with Shadow of the Colossus due to its balance of action and exploration, rather than The Last Guardian. The game is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a PC release exclusive to the Epic Games Store.
Yes, you have a gun in Gen Atlas, but Fumito Ueda doesn't want you to think it's a shooter
Fumito Ueda's new game, Gen Atlas, features a gun mechanic, but he emphasizes it is not the primary focus and is intended as one of several ways to overcome challenges. The game, set in a desert world with giant robot carcasses, will allow players to use the gun as a tool for progression rather than for scoring points, drawing parallels to the player's choices in Ico.
Games Inbox: What will be in the Nintendo Direct today?
Readers speculate on the contents of an upcoming Nintendo Direct, with predictions ranging from a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake to new Switch 2 titles. Discussions also touch upon Xbox's exclusivity policies, the perceived lack of innovation in modern game design, and the aging gamer demographic.
Fumito Ueda on why Gen Atlas has shooting but isn't a shooter, cool robots, and generative AI
Fumito Ueda discusses his new game Gen Atlas, emphasizing its unique experience, refined mechanics, and the role of shooting as a progression tool rather than a primary focus. He also touches on the game's themes of robots and the passage of time, and his studio's cautious use of generative AI in development. This marks Ueda's first game to be released on PC.
Fumito Ueda knows that you're worried about Gen Atlas's framerate
Fumito Ueda acknowledges that the trailer for his new game, Gen Atlas, featured unoptimized performance, but assures that skilled engineers and support from Epic Games will ensure the final product meets the required level. The director stated the trailer's purpose was to build anticipation for the game's world, even if it meant showing unfinished elements. Gen Atlas is being developed for PC, a platform where players are accustomed to performance optimization and potential modding solutions.
Fumito Ueda’s Gen Atlas Revealed at Summer Game Fest 2026
Fumito Ueda's studio genDesign, in partnership with Epic Games Publishing, has unveiled Gen Atlas, a single-player sci-fi action-adventure game. Revealed at Summer Game Fest 2026, the title is set on an abandoned planet and features colossal robots that aid in exploration. Gen Atlas is planned for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via the Epic Games Store.
gen ATLAS Announced
Epic Games and gen Design have announced gen ATLAS, a new single-player open-world action-adventure game. This title marks the latest project from the creators of ICO, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, and is slated for a future release on PC and consoles.
Here's my pick of the 5 best Summer Game Fest trailers that you should watch right now
This article highlights five of the best trailers from Summer Game Fest 2026, including reveals for Alien Isolation 2, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, Resident Evil Veronica, Gen Atlas, The Blood of Dawnwalker, and Stellar Blade: Blood Rain. It also features trailers for games from acclaimed director Fumito Ueda and discusses the Dawnwalker Saga.
Round Up: What Was Announced at Summer Game Fest 2026?
Summer Game Fest 2026 showcased numerous PlayStation 5 titles, including Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, Resident Evil Veronica, and Alien Isolation 2. Geoff Keighley's multi-platform event also featured announcements for Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch, with games like Guild Wars 3 and Cuphead's Mighty Cuphead Adventure revealed.
Pilot a giant robot head in 'gen Atlas,' the new game from the creator of Ico
Fumito Ueda, the creator of Ico and The Last Guardian, has announced his new game, gen Atlas. The game features players piloting a giant robot head, with development being handled by Ueda's studio, GenDesign. The article notes that Ueda's previous game took nine years to release.